Creating video content for your social media, business or private memories can add great value to your portfolio. But feeling confident and acting natural in front of the camera is not everyone’s natural given skill.
In fact, most people do feel a little bit insecure and are not quite sure about their performance when it comes to being recorded on camera.
My own first experiences with a video camera were quite terrifying. Working as a model, I am pretty used to taking pictures, but moving in front of a camera requires different skills than just taking a picture of you.
So, whenever I had to walk into a casting room and would see the casting director and the recording camera in front of me, I felt a lot of pressure. I was not sure how to act natural and felt judged on every single move I would make.
In addition to that, I somehow felt, that the camera would be able to get too close to me , and rather be some sort of enemy than a tool that could work in my favor.
Nowadays I do work as a tv presenter and regularly do work in front of the camera, I lost my fear and made the camera work for me and I love my job.
So let me tell you, moving and acting in front of a camera is a skill that you can actually learn, so here a my top 5 advices for everyone who would like to improve their skills on camera.
1. Practice makes perfect
Being in front of a camera really is like riding a bicycle or running a marathon, sure there might be some people who have great given skills, but for the most of us it just takes a little practice .
2. Watch and evaluate your own recordings
It might feel weird in the beginning, but believe me, you are the hardest judge you might come along and see every single move that you wouldn’t describe as smart or faltering.
So watch your recordings, over and over again. Take notes of what you liked and disliked about your performance and try to adapt it the next time.
3. Learn about your expressions
Be aware about your facial expressions, body language, voice and breathing, those little details really do make the big difference between an alright or brilliant performance.
Remember that cute smile they caught you with when you saw the neighbor’s puppy for the very first time? Practice to play that on repeat, so you are quite aware of how you will look like in different scenarios!
4. Make the camera your friend
The camera is your friend, not your enemy, the more you start working on camera you will realize that. Try to keep this in mind all the time. The camera will work for you not against you.
The camera has no magic lenses that can replay something you didn’t show of yourself, so remember, you are in control and set the limits… and if there is something you really didn’t like, you can always cut it out afterwards.
5. Work with professionals
Working with professionals can help you, especially in the beginning. Take their advices and profit from their experience. They will know best which location , lightning or context to use and make sure they will show you from your best angle, plus over the time you might learn from them.
Last but not least … remember to have fun!
Because working with a camera is a special skill and occasion for most people .
So prepare yourself well and enjoy the experience, I promise you might end up liking it!